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Why did IFC do this report, what was the goal, and where is it available?
What are the key findings?
The report finds that:
- The private sector already plays a significant role in health care in Africa. On average, it delivers 50 percent of the industry’s goods and services, with 60 percent of financing for those goods and services coming from private sources.
- The private sector is often the only option for delivering health services in remote rural regions and poor urban slums. Often perceived as serving only Africa’s rich and elite, private sector providers (both for-profit and not-for-profit) in fact serve all income levels and have broad geographic reach.
- African health expenditure will continue to grow rapidly, with the private sector playing a key role. Expenditures are expected to more than double over the next 10 years, from $16.7 billion in 2005 to around $35 billion in 2016. About $25-30 billion in investment will be needed to meet this demand, with 60 percent expected to come from the private sector.
- The private sector is only part of the solution to Africa’s health challenges, but it has the potential to bring significant improvements, such as expanding access to health services for the poorest people and reducing the financial burden on governments.
- Impediments to developing a productive private health sector include limited access to capital, burdensome regulations, shortages of skilled workers, and a lack of risk-pooling mechanisms that can mobilize revenue for providers and support the growth of a well-organized private health sector in Africa.
How is IFC responding to the findings? What are the main elements of IFC’s strategy?
Why is IFC involved in health care? Isn’t that what governments do?
Does the report advocate privatizing health care systems in Africa? Does IFC advocate that?
Many in the public health community oppose private sector involvement in health. What is IFC's view?
What will prevent medical professionals in public sector hospitals from leaving for better-paying jobs in the private sector?
Doesn’t Africa’s private health sector mainly serve the rich?
Do private sector clinics and hospitals offer free or subsidized services for Africa’s poor?
What is IFC’s view on user fees in health care?
Is collaborating with foundations a new trend for IFC? How is the Gates Foundation involved in this report?
Who is your target audience? What kind of partners are you looking for?
What organizations do you expect will participate in the equity vehicle?
What kinds of opportunities do you see for investors?
What kind of investors do you think will be needed to grow the region’s private health sector?
Why do life sciences matter in Sub-Saharan Africa?
Is Africa’s investment climate good for business?
How did you collaborate with the World Bank and NGOs on this report?
How will you publicize the report and IFC's response? How will you ensure that the report is seen by target audiences?
Who was responsible for preparing the report? What subsectors does it cover? What countries are covered?
Who should investors and other stakeholders contact to receive more information?
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